Fractures are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries sustained by individuals. As per the World Health Organisation report, fractures are particularly common amongst the aged populace all over the world, and Melbourne is no different! One of the major causes of fractures during old age is diminishing bone density, which causes the bones to become brittle and prone to fractures.
While surgical or conservative management techniques like splinting, casting or fixation can help in bone healing, physiotherapy plays the most crucial role for restoration of functionality and strength of the bone, reducing post-surgical complications and improvement of post-fracture life.
On this page, we discuss how home visit physiotherapy in Melbourne by trained professionals help NDIS participants in post-fracture recoveries.
What are The Types of Fractures That People Generally Suffer?
Elders, be NDIS participants or not, suffer from the following types of fractures:
- Simple or Closed Fracture
- Compound or Open Fracture
- Comminuted or Multiple Fracture
- Transverse or Oblique Fracture
- Spiral Fracture
- Compression Fracture
- Stress Fracture
Physiotherapists successfully address all these types of fractures. However, professional physiotherapists consider the type of fracture suffered by the therapy recipient, and they chalk out the methods accordingly.
How Does Physiotherapy Help Recovery From Fracture-Related Injuries & Complications?
Pain & Swelling Management
This is one of the early physiotherapy modalities, like cryotherapy, TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and gentle mobilisation. It has been revealed by researchers that physiotherapy-led edema control reduces stiffness and enhances blood circulation, thereby speeding up recovery.
Restoration of Joint Mobility
After immobilisation, joints close to the fracture site have a propensity of becoming stiff. Experts offering physiotherapy in Werribee generally introduce active and passive range-of-motion or ROM exercises to keep contractures at bay. In fact, it has been found that early supervised mobilisation significantly reduces long-term disability, following upper-limb fractures.
Muscle Strengthening and Endurance
Disuse atrophy is one of the most common complications during the post-fracture period. Physiotherapists offer progressive resistance training while providing therapy, which rebuilds muscle mass, thereby preventing re-injury to the already-affected bone. These professionals also provide structured strengthening programs, which improve functional outcomes by up to 40 to 45 percent in case of lower-limb fractures.
Weight-Bearing & Gait Training
When it comes to treating lower-limb fractures, a professional NDIS physiotherapist in Melbourne gradually progresses the therapy recipients from partial to full weight bearing with the passage of time. They would let them use assistive devices, which are integrated with their lifestyles to increase mobility.
They also turn to gait retaining, which is crucial to prevent compensatory patterns of movement, which may result in secondary joint pain.
Neuromuscular Re-education
Fractures often impair the body’s sense of position of proprioception. In order to restore the sense, professionals who visit home for physiotherapy in Melbourne like elsewhere would prescribe balance exercises, functional training as well as closed-kinetic chain activities to restore neuromuscular control and reduce fall risk.
Apart from all these, physiotherapy also helps post-fracture recovery by offering scar and soft tissue management, psychological and functional rehabilitation.
The Wrap Up Words
Physiotherapy is immensely essential during the recovery process following a fracture, more so when it comes to bridging the gap between bone healing and complete functional restoration. Physiotherapy guarantees that patients regain their independence and lessen long-term disabilities by addressing pain, mobility, strength, balance, and psychosocial factors. Rehabilitation techniques are being improved by innovative physiotherapy which makes recovery safer, quicker, and more person-focused.
If you are looking for a physiotherapist for your near one who is recovering from fracture and is also an NDIS participant, turn to Noble Physio Care around. All you have to do is to call us at 1300 064 148 to book an appointment.